There is no ideal for the male sex comparable to this. We have read of Sir Galahad, who could say—
“I never felt the kiss of love,
Nor maiden’s hand in mine.”
Sir Galahad.
England the more moral Country.
Especially in Principle and Feeling.
The Story of Joseph.
But who is Sir Galahad? In England only a poetical creation, in France unheard of and unknown. Were he known he would encounter a danger that even the bravest knight might dread. It might be decided, in France, that he was ridiculous. I have been represented as holding the opinion that France and England are exactly on the same level in morals; but that is not my view. Justice consists in giving everybody his due, it does not consist in believing that nations are exactly alike. I have no doubt that England is the more moral country of the two, even in practice, and much more in principle and feeling. The great difference (and it is most profound) is that the English are still capable of stern and austere feeling about these matters, which they have derived from Puritan ancestors; whereas the French, even when practically chaste in their own lives, regard adultery, in the male sex at least, with a sort of amusement not always unmingled with admiration for the address and audacity of the sinner. A witty word may save him. I knew a marble-cutter who was accused of some illicit passion, and who saved himself by the reply, “Pour être marbrier, on n’est pas de marbre.” A certain incident in the life of a former prime minister of Egypt may be taken as a test of the feeling of the two countries. In England he is looked upon with serious respect as an example of chastity in youth, and wisdom in maturity; but in France all the ability of his administration cannot efface the recollection of his “niaiserie” in the well-known interview with “Madame Putiphar,” and shamefaced youths are called after him to this day.
CHAPTER IV
TEMPERANCE
Moderate Drinking in France.